I have been having lots of discussions lately about how to effectively mix profit and non-profit activities in a software company. Whenever I find myself answering the same question more than once it is time for a blog post.
Here is how we have set up things here at Kashless. Kashless, Inc. is a for profit (unprofitable = unsustainable) sustainable company. Kashless, Inc. is venture funded, and expects to make a profit for it’s shareholders and to grow its business. Kashless, Inc. develops software to enable reuse marketplaces. Kashless.org is a non-profit demonstration consumer deployment of the Kashless, Inc. software platform. Kashless, Inc.’s primary business is licensing the software platform to brands, companies, and organizations, not operating a destination consumer site. In addition to operating Kashless.org as a public service, like many leading technology companies, Kashless, Inc. has committed a portion of its profits to a charitable foundation, the Kashless Foundation, which will promote Reuse and Recycling around the world.
Thanks to our very observant members, they have helped us discover two very tricky and annoying bugs. Well that is one reason we are still in Beta. I am going to describe the bugs here. We are working on them and should have them fixed soon. Will update here and Twitter when fixed.
Expired listings still showing up as active. On certain partner listings, the Kashless.org system tries to keep the status of listings on our site in sync with the master listing on partner site. For the last four weeks or so, this process has been broken on a large number of listings. This has resulted in people trying to make offers on listings that are expired. This can be frustrating. We have identified the cause of the bug and are fixing it.
Messages not getting through. When you press “contact giver” on a listing, if the listing is from a Kashless member, the message is delivered immediately, if it from a partner site, we have to figure out the e-mail address to send it to and deliver it outside our system. For certain partner sites, this process has been broken for the last couple of weeks and we only recently noticed it. This meant that people were sending messages, getting no response and wondering what was going on. We are used to some people simply not responding, but not 100% non-response. Well, the mails were getting dropped. Our systems didn’t receive any error messages, so it was a hard problem to figure out. We have figured out the source of this bug and are also working on a fix. Sorry for the inconvenience, but any messages sent to partner listings over the last month, you should plan never got there. Messages to kashless listings were delivered fine. We will let you know when it is fixed.
We are so very excited about the recent partnership between Kashless.org and Recycle Bank and the beginning of the Kashless Rewards program. This morning we sent out a press release celebrating the new addition to Kashless and sparking some Kashless shopping ideas for the Holidays. Below a quote from the release:
"This program is an easy way for people to go green for the holidays by recycling and reusing items online that may otherwise be headed to a landfill," said Martin Tobias, CEO/Founder of Kashless.org. "This year go Kashless and give, receive, earn great rewards, and most important, make a real difference in" someone`s holiday season."
We are excited to announce the Kashless Rewards for Reuse Program, a new way for Kashless members to earn reward points for doing the right thing. Kashless Reward is powered by RecycleBank, the world's premier currency for rewarding green actions. Redeem your Kashless Points for rewards, such as everyday discounts at your local grocery store, gift cards at top retailers, gifts to charity, or your next travel adventure. This is a really big deal!
Members earn Kashless Rewards for posting items, taking items, inviting friends, creating saved searches and more. Simply setting up a Reward Points account and posting your first item on Kashless will earn you enough points for your first reward.
The rewards you earn for using Kashless.org can then be used toward popular brands like Panera Bread Co, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, Coca Cola, Best Buy, Kraft, Cold Stone Creamery, Olive Garden, K-Mart, Whole Foods, Subway, Honest Tea and thousands of other restaurants, clothing stores, travel deals, electronics and groceries. Or you can donate your points to any participating charity. There are hundreds of reward partners and counting.
Members receive Kashless Rewards points for the following activities:
Post an offered item on Kashless - (5 points)
Create a "Wanted" post on Kashless - (1 point)
Fully complete your Kashless profile - (10 points)
Create your FIRST saved search with any form of notification - (20 points)
Every saved search after - (10 points)
Send an e-mail invitation using the invite tool on the Home Page - (20 points)
But there's more. Earn Bonus awards for...
20 point bonus award for setting up first SMS/text message saved search.
100 points bonus award for adding $10 or more Kash to your account
50 point bonus award when you post your 20th item.
You can redeem any number of your points at any time in the "rewards" section of your Account Settings or by clicking the new "Rewards" tab on the top navigation bar. With rewards starting as low as 50 Points, the possibilities are endless.
Today we were featured on Boot Camp with Fred Fishkin.
The interview was great, with our CEO Martin Tobias on hand to shed some light on his inspiration for starting the company, saying:
"The idea came to me when I was cleaning out my garage and I had a bunch of stuff that was still good... And it was actually much harder than I thought to give it away to a charity. There's a long list of things the Salvation Army and Goodwill won't take. So I created the site."
Fishkin closed by summarizing: "Whether you have stuff to get rid of, or need to find stuff for free, Kashless.org can help."
It's October, and that means all kinds of great things - crisp weather, pumpkins, candy, corn mazes, and, of course, Halloween.
Are you thinking about Halloween yet? If you're like me, you haven't thought much about it and don't have any supplies. This is great, because it means that you still have time to make this holiday a green holiday. Get creative! Halloween is easy to make sustainable. Here are our tips:
1) Make your costume from recycled materials This may sound obvious to some, and impossible to others. This doesn't mean you have to be a classic bedsheet ghost. All manner of old clothing, trinkets, blankets, and objects can be turned into a costume. See what you can dream up with things you and your friends have lying around.
2) Swap old costumes You've got a sensational peacock costume sitting in your closet, but you know you couldn't hold your head up if you wore it twice in a row. Your friend happens to have an amazing swamp monster costume in his basement. I see swapping possibilities.
3) Choose sustainable goodies Instead of handing out mass produced space food candies this year, try earth-friendly organic fruits or candies. Giving away only fruit carries a heavy risk of making you seem tragically uncool to neighborhood kids. A good compromise would be to mix apples and healthier snacks in with all the Mars bars and Jolly Ranchers.
4) Choose earthy decorations Rather than festooning your place with crepe papers, howling electric witches, and orange-colored plastic objects you found at Target or Joanne Fabrics, try something earthier. Think Indian corn, dried corn stalks, hay bales, pumpkins and squashes. They're classier, anyway - your Mom and Martha Stewart would agree with me on this.
Upcycling is recycling's cool, adventurous cousin. If recycling wears vintage Levi's and grows its hair long, upcycling wears a beret and has a sporty urban haircut.
More technically, upcycling is the process of converting one thing into something of greater value. For example, transforming bottle caps into earrings or pallets into lawn furniture. It's reinvention.
Let's take a look at some inspirations from our Etsy friends:
1: Fur Coat "UpCycling," street art by Neonzoon, Berlin
2: SnuggyLuggage Upcycled Vintage Suitcase Pet Bed by mamarose10, $60
3. YAVA Glass - Recycled Boylan's Soda Bottle Glasses by yavaglass, $30
4. Pink Blossom - Upcycled Fabric Earrings by lolitasummer, $16
5. 8 Ball - Circuit Pendant beadworkbyamanda, $20
6. "Spanish Lessons" Recycled Negatives Earrings
by tomatedepingles, $22
Kashless is excited to announce that we'll be participating in the Sustainable Ballard Festival, September 26 - 27th.
According to the Sustainable Ballard website, "The Sustainable Ballard Festival is a community fair and the
culmination of all of our hard work - a showcase for the activities and
initiatives our neighbors have engaged in throughout the year. The 2009
Festival will feature live music, how-to workshops, fun &
educational activities, local and sustainable businesses and much more!
Please browse our festival pages for information on volunteering,
sponsoring, and festival speakers and schedules as they develop."
Some of the Kashless Krew will be holding the fort down at booth number FOUR all day Saturday and Sunday so come visit! You won't want to miss it, because we're going to be giving away loads of FREE STUFF at our booth, dancing to the music (we're right behind the main music stage) and handing out high fives like WHAT!?
(The Festival will be located in Ballard Commons Park and in the Ballard Public Library. Intersection of 22nd Ave NW and NW 57th Street. In Downtown Ballard.)
Sure, being sustainable may not be all fun and games
(shorter showers? Such hardship!) but some green practices are easy and fun to
adopt.
Without further ado, 5 fun ways to get a little greener:
1)Shop vintage
Vintage clothing, furniture, and household items are more
than just green. They're also unique, funky, and fun to look for. A day of
vintage shopping is always fun, and you're
sure to find some real gems. Seriously,
one of my favorite pieces of clothing (a vintage Dolce and Gabbana pencil
skirt, in case you were wondering) was found in a heap of vintage skirts in a
basement resale shop - and I got it for a song.
2)Go digital
Bookworms rejoice: ebooks are awesome and eco-friendly. Even
if you don't have a snazzy Kindle of your own, your local library has ebooks
these days, too. You can download and read them instantly - with no late fees
and no trip to the library.
3)Get crafty
The sky is the limit when it comes to repurposing. Almost
everything can be "upcycled" and given a new lease on life. If you can dream
it, you can make it. Look around your house for ideas. My mother, a glass
artist, has an entire line of recycled wine bottles. She shapes them into
tumblers, slumps them into cheese boards, melts them into bowls, or turns them
into mosaics. Get creative!
4)Grow it yourself
Gardening at home is as green as it gets. No chemicals, no
transportation costs, no nonsense. Just good old fashioned vegetables! It's fun
to see your love and care blossoming. If you're garden-shy or low on space, try
growing herbs in your window sill. It's nice to have something truly green and
growing - and delicious, too.
5)Take a stroll
Walking or biking to work saves on gas and cuts your stress.
Sure, it may take a little longer to get there, but life's about the journey,
isn't it? By walking or biking to work, you'll get in some exercise and get to
know your town. You may find things you never would have seen if you were
bottled up in your car racing from place to place. Make it an adventure - but take
your time.
Now, let us hear it! What are your favorite fun ways to go
green?
In college, I took a course on consumer patterns. People
with PHDs have applied their nimble brains to figuring out how, what, and why
we buy. They've mostly answered the first two questions, but no one knows
exactly why we buy all the stuff we buy.
As for the "how" of shopping, we all know from experience
that there are people who shop for the object and people who shop for the experience.
But among those who like to shop, there are three sub-categories:
Group 1: People who like to shop in tidy, linear places
(think Gap)
Group 2: People who like the "treasure hunt" of thrift
shopping
Group 3: People who are forced to shop thriftily but would
rather not
Let's assume that most Kashless users fall into group 2. Don't
deny it - I've seen the server logs. I know that you don't use the search function.
You're browsing through page after page of listings looking for something cool.
One of the UK's
top resale shops, Oxfam, tried to organize its jumble of used goodies into the
linear layout used in first-run shops like Gap or Macy's. They found that
everyone hated it and stopped shopping there. Those of us in Group 2 don't want
you to hand us anything. We want to find it. We're looking for a little bit of
ourselves, lost in the confusing listings or the bizarrely organized piles.
So now we know how we buy. We also know what we're buying -
unique, used, secondhand items that have some history.
Is this also why we buy? Are we shopping around for a little
bit of identity? Are we thrifting out way to a clearer sense of self?
I think so. My secondhand, thrift-store things say a lot
more about me than my department store purchases. This is what good thrifting
is all about: being yourself, being sustainable, and having fun.
Are you there, readers? It's us, Kashless.org. And we have
some questions for you! Who doesn't love questions? Come on, admit it - you love
filling in quirky questionnaires about your favorite ice cream flavor and book
titles just as much as we do.
So today we want to ask you this:
if you've gotten something
off Kashless.org, what is it?
What do you like about it?
What don't you like
about it?
How was the experience different than buying new or used items?
And just for fun, if you could get one free thing off Kashless.org, what would
it be?
Are you interested in some free original art? Who isn't?
Kashless has our very own artist! Cohitre is a Seattle-based
user who has taken to drawing quirky and cool dinosaurs and posting them on the
site. I hope this trend continues!
Keep and eye on Cohitre by following their listings here:
http://bit.ly/d4nNt. If any more Kashless artists emerge, we'll be sure to
highlight them, too!
Wish there was even more free stuff on Kashless.org than there is now? The more members we have, the more people there are to connect and share with. A great way to get your friends, family and neighbors to become a part of the Kashless family and begin practicing re-use is by helping us spread the word in your area.
The winner of the Kashless Celebrity Skis is Ladd!
Here is Ladd's response:
"Well Ive been elected to sing about Kashless being so tight
As a huge PUSA fan and a skiing wild man I'm feeling alright (about my chances that is)
I certainly think these lyrics will create confusion
Got a free stuff problem well Kashless' got a solution
Just let Kashless do what they do and let them connect us to free stuff
Let them connect us to free stuff, they've done connected me
Well Ive been selected to change the lyrics to this song, to this song
Im goin to do my best but the rhythm might be all wrong
Might be all wrong
Well I gave it my best cause I want Dave's skis
With some help from Kashless I might get them for free (its what they do)
Kashless do what you do and connect us to free stuff
Connect us to free stuff, they've done connected me"
** Another part of Ladd's response that won us over was this "With your permission if I get your free skis, I will be donating them
to my favorite charity's auction, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, where
I will probably buy them back as a donation (unless there is a deep
pocketed PUSA fan in the audience in which case I will be sad to no
longer have the cool skis, but happy that the money raised when to a
great cause)."
Thanks Ladd for participating! We hope you enjoy the skis!
Some fantastic quotes from the runners up:
"i love kashless because i find the most random things that i actually
need. it's also a great way to find unique and hard-to-find items like
antiques and such. one man's trash is another man's treasure right? i
also found it to be a great way to get rid of some of the things that
have been sitting in our storage for years!" -bettafly21
"economy's wrecked,
landfills, piles of disrespect,
an ingrained neglect.
tons of new objects,
consumerism's quite suspect.
mindset to correct.
with luck we'll connect
and reduce greenhouse effect.
an Earth to protect.
thank you to kashless,
purpose, savvy intersect.
skis i shall collect." - Troy
"I like Kashless!Everyone is interconnected by what we say
,do,experience and spend or trade!That is what makes us unique!Kashless
keeps things moving between people and provides new friendships and
experiences in life!" - mdslhefte
"I love going kashless (not to sound so clechy) because as a teenager
without much money it is cool to have a place where I can go and find
free stuff." - dbt1994
" I think you are
doing a Just thing here by keeping Kashless going
here.I came on this site a few months ago
to get help with needing insulation and sheetrock. This site is a neccesity." - marsh.cleaning (Jamie)
Uh, how to explain this? It was going to be a snail that could be
ridden around. Built on a pocket bike frame. Sheet metal skin on wire
frame, sheet metal needs finishing. Western saddle for seat. comes with
extra motor, frame, and rear wheel. I was just going to chop this up
and scrap it, but I figured some weirdo might want to take it over or
use it for parts for some other project. Sorry, if you want any of it
you have to take all of it.
I have a used husband to give away. "Free" He's been used and abused,
but is still in decent shape. He's useful for small jobs around the
house, but don't expect him to completely finish any job you trust him
with, there will always be about 5% left undone.
He doesn't drink or smoke and has no stains. He may need
re-covering 'cause he is presently covered with an old ripped tee
shirt.
By definition, love seats might be thought of as welcoming, warm, comfortable, well-crafted.
In contrast, this swell-looking couch is more of a one-night stand
seat: slipshod, poorly made, garish, and uncomfortable after you've
spent five minutes sitting on it.
Obviously, a few well-worn holes are present in the pattern as well.
On the non-minus side, it's so insubstantial that it weighs about
three pounds. Additionally, it converts to a flipped out bed: small,
poorly engineered, and ill-cushioned enough to turn the most innocent
of houseguests into an insomnia-addled tart in a mere 8 hours.
I'm engaged now (the couch had nothing to do with it) and, in
service to the rest of the world, prefer to pass on this couch to
another who has a greater need.
Full disclosure: I have never had a one night stand on this one night
stand seat, but (what's left of) the fabric looks pretty easy to clean
if you don't believe me.
Do with it what you will:
Would look splendid on the front porch of your new shit-ass rental;
impress the upstairs neighbors - the floral pattern overwinters nicely.
Could really spice up that corner of the living room with the
faux-elephant tusk table, Scrabble game missing the X, and Panasonic
tape deck you found last moving day.
No need to cover with plastic during your next party, and when
everything is winding down for the evening, just 'flip-n-roll' as we
say in New London.
Might get you a solid B on your next performance art project, might get you an A if you 'use' it creatively (wink, wink).
I couldn't dream of charging you for this couch, but if you want to
give me five bucks or a box of P. Vella's finest, I can't stop you. You
pick it up.
i bought far too much of this colonic cleanser at the beginning of the
year and if someone doesn't use it soon, it's going to go bad. It is
non-toxic and organic and needs to be used by the end of next month
before it expires. if you would like it, please let me know and you can
come pick it up. (when you email please tell me what you are emailing
about; I have some other ads up in the free section and I'm tired of
getting blank emails saying "do you have it". thx.)
ATTENTION BEEKEEPERS: I have a new hive that just swarmed in to the
tree in my front yard. It is easy to get to, it's a large mass of
honeybees in a small tree. Come get them all if you would like keep
them. I just don't want to be responsible for the honeybee population
to decline further.
i have a 6x16 trailer loaded down with old fire extingusihers that i
want gone out of my yard you bring a trailer and i will help you load
them tonight or we can load them on wed. just email me with a time you
can be here and i will be out there helping you load thanks
Ok here goes... we have a stump sitting on the sidewalk in front of our
house... i am offering a free case of beer to the first person who
comes and hauls this eye soar away! We just have no way of getting it
on our trailer to get it hauled away! We are getting desperate and I am
sure the neighborhood would LOVE to see it gone as well! Cant beat a
free case of beer!
So come on beer lovers! Come and get it and haul it away or use it for firewood!
Kashless is looking for
part time Kashless Street Team members in 100 major metro areas around the country. We need somebody in every big city in the nation!
This is a
contract position that will last roughly one month and involves
completing five projects within that time frame.
This temporary position consists of the following projects:
1. Stenciling sidewalks with Kashless Chalk Sidewalk Art
2. Posting Stuff to the Kashless.org site
3. Visiting and talking with local thrift stores
4. Flyering local cafes
5. Integrating with Kashless social media
After completing the street team projects, each member will earn $500.00.
IMPORTANT: In order to be considered for this position you must OWN or be willing to attain the following:
• A computer with high-speed Internet access.
• A digital camera
• An account with Paypal.com (easy to obtain, free, and will be used to pay you for your work.)
• Experience with and knowledge of social media and web activity
* This gig also requires being able to be in your feet for extended
amounts of time, being able to traverse your city quickly and easily,
being social and personable, and being capable and comfortable using
computers/web, cameras and social networks quickly and with great ease.
This position is PERFECT for college students interested in Marketing,
Sales or Communications.
If you are interested in being considered for this position please
reply to StreetTeam @ Kashless.org with the following information in
the BODY of the email
1. What City, State you are located in.
2. Why we should choose you to be a Kashless Marketing Rep.
3. Relevant work experience or work skills
We look forward to hearing from you. Please pass this on to people you believe might be interested!
i have 12 rolls of dental floss that i collected over time from dentist visits and i dont use since i have my own custom pic.
The Brand is Oral-B Satin Floss.
The are all brand new and sealed.
Pick up only.
Sorry for the blurry pic,its from my cell.
Free for Someone Named Becky I have a 6 ft 4in tall apology card for that special person in your
life who's name is Becky. Thats the name printed on the card. I am
giving it away because I more than messed up with the one I fell in
love with the moment she walked through my door so long ago. I doubt
she will ever accept this apology card I had especialy made for her so
its yours if you could find a use for it. Just let me give you a piece
of advice, never make the same mistake twice with the person you love,
I know I never will again.
Kashless.org is a great place to get your old electronics re-used by someone who wants them. I find all sorts of things there, old computers, monitors, even an iPod. Sometimes when I am posting something to give away I get a nagging feeling that it might actually be worth some real money. What if there were an easy way to figure out the market value of your electronics?
Now there is. The Kashless.org/Flipswap/Nextworth widget. It is on the top of the side navigation. There is basically a text box and you can start typing what you have and it will show you matches and values. If you want to sell your item, the widget will link over to a co-branded site http://kashless.nextworth.com/ where you can complete the transaction. They mail you a pre-paid envelope, you stick the stuff in and you get a check back in the mail in a couple weeks. Very cool.
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